Method and device for processing synchronization signal block information and communication device

ABSTRACT

A synchronization signal block information processing method includes: obtaining, by a terminal device, identifiers of multiple SS/PBCH blocks (SSBs), wherein the identifier of the SSB is determined in accordance with demodulation reference signal (DMRS) sequences of physical broadcast channels (PBCHs), and the identifier of the SSB is used for indicating a transmission position of the SSB within a set period of time; obtaining, by the terminal device, first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating a first quantity, and the first quantity is no more than a number of the SSBs sent by a network device within the set period of time; and determining, by the terminal device, a first SSB in the multiple SSBs and a second SSB in the multiple SSBs are quasi-co-located (QCL) in accordance with an identifier of the first SSB, an identifier of the second SSB and the first indication information.

The present application is a continuation application of PCT PatentApplication No. PCT/CN2019/114202, entitled “METHOD AND DEVICE FORPROCESSING SYNCHRONIZATION SIGNAL BLOCK INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONDEVICE” filed on Oct. 30, 2019, which claims the priority of the PCTapplication No. PCT/CN2019/075282 filed on Feb. 15, 2019, entitled“METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROCESSING SYNCHRONIZATION SIGNAL BLOCKINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION DEVICE”, the disclosures of both of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present application relate to the field ofcommunication, and in particular to a synchronization signal blockinformation processing method and device, and a communication device.

BACKGROUND

In a new radio (NR) mobile communication system (referred to as a NRsystem), a network device can transmit a synchronization signal block(SS/PBCH block, SSB) to a terminal device. When the NR system works on alicensed spectrum, the network device sends the SSB according to acertain period. Within the SSB transmission period, a transmissionposition of each SSB is fixed. For each transmission position of theSSB, a number can be assigned to the SSB transmitted at this position,and the number is sequentially numbered according to the order of thepositions where the SSBs are transmitted. On the one hand, the numbercan reflect the transmission order of the SSBs in the SSB transmissionperiod. On the other hand, the number can also reflect a quasico-located (QCL) relationship between the SSBs. After the terminaldevice receives the SSBs, if it is determined that the numbers of twoSSBs are the same, it is considered that the two SSBs are QCL.

With the rapid development of wireless communication technologies,spectrum resources are increasingly scarce. In order to solve theproblem of less available resources in the licensed spectrum, the NRsystem may not rely on the licensed spectrum, but completely work on anunlicensed spectrum. The NR system that works on the unlicensed spectrumcan be called a new radio-unlicensed (NR-U) system. On the unlicensedspectrum on which the NR-U system works, channel resources are shared,and thus it may not be able to guarantee that the SSBs are transmittedin the fixed positions. Accordingly, the terminal device may not be ableto determine the QCL SSBs through the numbers corresponding to the fixedpositions.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a synchronization signal blockinformation processing method in which a terminal device can determinewhether a first SSB and a second SSB are QCL or not according toidentifiers of the first SSB and the second SSB, and first indicationinformation, where the identifier indicates a transmission position ofthe SSB within a set period of time.

As a possible design, the first indication information is used forindicating a first quantity which is related to a number of SSBs sent bya network device within the set period of time.

As a possible design, the identifiers of the first SSB and the secondSSB are SSB numbers.

As a possible design, the terminal device can determine whether thefirst SSB and the second SSB are QCL through the process of:

determining that the first SSB and the second SSB are QCL when a resultof the SSB number of first SSB mod the first quantity is equal to theresult of the SSB number of the second SSB mod the first quantity.

In the method according to the embodiments, the network device sends theSSBs at specific positions according to the first indicationinformation. After receiving the SSBs, the terminal device can determinethe QCL relationship between the SSBs according to the identifiers ofthe SSBs and the first indication information. With this method, itcannot only ensure that the terminal device accurately obtains the QCLrelationship between the SSBs, but also effectively use the channelresources between a start position of the channel occupation and a startposition of the SSB transmission, and thus ensure a utilizationefficiency of the system resources in the unlicensed spectrum.

According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a synchronization signal blockinformation processing method in which a network device can send a firstSSB and a second SSB to a terminal device, so that the terminal devicecan determine whether the first SSB and the second SSB arequasi-co-located (QCL) or not according to an identifier of the firstSSB, an identifier of the second SSB, and first indication information,where the identifier indicates a transmission position of the SSB withina set period of time.

In the method according to the embodiments, the network device sends theSSBs at specific positions according to the first indicationinformation. After receiving the SSBs, the terminal device can determinethe QCL relationship between the SSBs according to the identifiers ofthe SSBs and the first indication information. With this method, itcannot only ensure that the terminal device accurately obtains the QCLrelationship between the SSBs, but also effectively use the channelresources between a start position of the channel occupation and a startposition of the SSB transmission, and thus ensure a utilizationefficiency of the system resources in the unlicensed spectrum.

As a possible design, the first indication information is used forindicating a first quantity which is related to a number of SSBs sent bya network device within the set period of time.

As a possible design, the identifiers of the first second SSBs are SSBnumbers.

In the first and second aspects above, as a possible design, the firstindication information and the first quantity can be implemented by anyof the following three manners.

In a first manner, the first indication information includes a number ofthe sent SSBs, and the first quantity is the number of the sent SSBs.

In a second manner, the first indication information includes n, and thefirst quantity is obtained by rounding up the number of the sent SSBs upto nth power of 2, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

In this manner, if the number of the SSBs actually sent by the networkdevice is 1, the first quantity may be 1, 2, 4, or 8, and the networkdevice can indicate that the first quantity is one of 1, 2, 4 and 8through the first indication information, and correspondingly, theterminal device determines that the first quantity is the one of 1, 2, 4and 8 through the first indication information.

If the number of the SSBs actually sent by the network device is 2, thefirst quantity may be 2, 4, or 8, and the network device can indicatethat the first quantity is one of 2, 4 and 8 through the firstindication information, and correspondingly, the terminal devicedetermines that the first quantity is the one of 2, 4 and 8 through thefirst indication information.

If the number of the SSBs actually sent by the network device is 3, thefirst quantity may be 4, or 8, and the network device can indicate thatthe first quantity is one of 4 and 8 through the first indicationinformation, and correspondingly, the terminal device determines thatthe first quantity is the one of 4 and 8 through the first indicationinformation.

If the number of the SSBs actually sent by the network device is 4, thefirst quantity may be 4 or 8, and the network device can indicate thatthe first quantity is one of 4 and 8 through the first indicationinformation, and correspondingly, the terminal device determines thatthe first quantity is the one of 4 and 8 through the first indicationinformation.

If the number of the SSBs actually sent by the network device is 5, thefirst quantity may be 8, and the network device can indicate that thefirst quantity is 8 through the first indication information, andcorrespondingly, the terminal device determines that the first quantityis 8 through the first indication information.

If the number of the SSBs actually sent by the network device is 6, thefirst quantity may be 8, and the network device can indicate that thefirst quantity is 8 through the first indication information, andcorrespondingly, the terminal device determines that the first quantityis 8 through the first indication information.

If the number of the SSBs actually sent by the network device is 7, thefirst quantity may be 8, and the network device can indicate that thefirst quantity is 8 through the first indication information, andcorrespondingly, the terminal device determines that the first quantityis 8 through the first indication information.

If the number of the SSBs actually sent by the network device is 8, thefirst quantity may be 8, and the network device can indicate that thefirst quantity is 8 through the first indication information, andcorrespondingly, the terminal device determines that the first quantityis 8 through the first indication information.

With the method provided in the embodiments, fewer resources can be usedto represent the first indication information.

In a third manner, the first indication information includes m, and thefirst quantity is obtained by rounding up the number of the sent SSBs upto 2 m, where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

With the method provided in the embodiments, fewer resources can be usedto represent the first indication information.

As a possible design, the first indication information may be indicatedin any of the following manners.

In a first manner, the first indication information is indicated by amain information block (MIB).

In a second manner, the first indication information is indicated byinformation carried by a physical broadcast channel (PBCH).

In a third manner, the first indication information is indicated by ademodulation reference signal (DMRS) sequence of the PBCH.

In a fourth manner, the first indication information is indicated by asystem information block (SIB).

In a possible design of this manner, the network device may carry onepiece of first indication information in the SIB message, and the firstindication information may be applied to all cells at a frequency pointcorresponding to the SIB message.

The aforementioned SIB message may be a SIB1 message, SIB2 message, SIB3message, or SIB4 message.

If the SIB message is the SIB1 message, when the SIB1 message carriesthe first indication information, the first indication information maybe applied to a current cell of a current frequency point correspondingto the SIB1 message.

If the SIB message is the SIB2 message or SIB3 message, when the SIB2message or SIB3 message carries the first indication information, thefirst indication information may be applied to all cells in thefrequency point corresponding to the serving cell or all cells at thefrequency point corresponding to the SIB3 message.

If the SIB message is the SIB4 message, the SIB4 message may carry oneor more pieces of first indication information, and each piece of firstindication information may be applied to all cells at the correspondingfrequency point.

In another possible design of this manner, the network device may alsocarry a first indication information list in the SIB message whichincludes multiple pieces of first indication information, and each pieceof first indication information may be applied to one or more cells.

The aforementioned SIB message may be the SIB3 message or SIB4 message.

If the SIB message is the SIB2 or SIB3 message and the SIB2 or SIB3message carries the first indication information list, the list includesone or more pieces of first indication information, and each piece offirst indication information can be applied to one cell or to multiplecells.

If the SIB message is a SIB4 message, the SIB4 message may carry one ormore first indication information lists, and each of the firstindication information lists includes one or more pieces of firstindication information, and each piece of first indication informationcan be applied to one cell or to multiple cells.

In a fifth manner, the first indication information is indicated by aradio resource control (RRC) message.

In a possible design of this manner, the network device may carry thefirst indication information in a RRC reconfiguration message, and thefirst indication information may be applied to all cells at a frequencypoint corresponding to the RRC reconfiguration message.

In another possible design of this manner, the network device may alsocarry one first indication information list in the RRC reconfigurationmessage, the list includes multiple pieces of first indicationinformation, and each piece of first indication information may beapplied to one or more cells.

In a case, the RRC reconfiguration message carries one first indicationinformation list which includes one or more pieces of first indicationinformation, and each piece of first indication information may beapplied to one cell.

In another case, the RRC reconfiguration message carries one firstindication information list which includes one or more pieces of firstindication information, and each piece of first indication informationmay be applied to multiple cells.

As a possible design, the RRC message includes an RRC reconfigurationmessage.

As a possible design, the first SSB and the second SSB are within thesame set period of time, or in different set periods of time.

As a possible design, the set period of time is half of a frame period,2 ms, 4 ms, or 8 ms.

According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a synchronization signal blockinformation processing device including:

a processing module configured to determine whether a first SSB and asecond SSB are quasi-co-located (QCL) or not according to an identifierof the first SSB, an identifier of the second SSB, and first indicationinformation, where the identifier indicates a transmission position ofthe SSB within a set period of time.

According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a synchronization signal blockinformation processing device including:

a processing module and a sending module,

wherein the processing module is configured to send a first SSB and asecond SSB to a terminal device through the sending module, so that theterminal device determines whether the first SSB and the second SSB arequasi-co-located (QCL) or not according to an identifier of the firstSSB, an identifier of the second SSB, and first indication information,where the identifier indicates a transmission position of the SSB withina set period of time.

In the above third and fourth aspects, as a possible design, the firstindication information is used for indicating a first quantity which isrelated to a number of SSBs sent by a network device within the setperiod of time.

As a possible design, the first indication information is indicated by amain information block (MIB).

As a possible design, the first indication information is indicated byinformation carried in a physical broadcast channel (PBCH).

As a possible design, the first indication information is indicated by ademodulation reference signal (DMRS) sequence of the PBCH.

As a possible design, the first indication information is indicated by asystem information block (SIB).

As a possible design, the first indication information is indicated by aradio resource control (RRC) message.

For the beneficial effects achieved by the terminal device provided inthe foregoing third aspect and the possible implementations thereof, itcan refer to the beneficial effects achieved by the foregoing firstaspect and the possible implementations thereof, which will not berepeated here.

For the beneficial effects achieved by the network device provided inthe foregoing fourth aspect and the possible implementations thereof, itcan refer to the beneficial effects achieved by the foregoing secondaspect and the possible implementations thereof, which will not berepeated here.

According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a terminal device including a processor,a memory, a receiver, and a transmitter, where the receiver and thetransmitter are both coupled to the processor, and the processorcontrols a receiving action of the receiver and a sending action of thetransmitter,

wherein the memory is used for storing computer executable program codesincluding instructions that, when being executed by the processor, causethe terminal device to perform the method provided in the first aspector the possible implementations thereof.

According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a network device including a processor, amemory, a receiver, and a transmitter, where the receiver and thetransmitter are both coupled to the processor, and the processorcontrols a receiving action of the receiver and a sending action of thetransmitter,

wherein the memory is used for storing computer executable program codesincluding instructions that, when being executed by the processor, causethe network device to perform the method provided in the second aspector the possible implementations thereof.

According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a communication device including a unit,module, or circuit for performing the method provided in the foregoingfirst aspect or the possible implementations thereof. The communicationdevice may be a terminal device or a module applied to the terminaldevice. For example, it may be a chip applied to the terminal device.

According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a communication device including a unit,module, or circuit for performing the method provided in the foregoingsecond aspect or the possible implementations thereof. The communicationdevice may be a network device or a module applied to the networkdevice. For example, it may be a chip applied to the network device.

According to a ninth aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a computer program product includinginstructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer toperform the method in the foregoing first aspect or various possibleimplementations thereof.

According to a tenth aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a computer program product includinginstructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer toperform the method in the foregoing second aspect or various possibleimplementations thereof.

According to an eleventh aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium havingstored therein instructions which, when run on a computer, cause thecomputer to perform the method in the first aspect or various possibleimplementations thereof.

According to an twelfth aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium havingstored therein instructions which, when run on a computer, cause thecomputer to perform the method in the second aspect or various possibleimplementations thereof.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a communication device having storedthereon a computer program which when being executed by thecommunication device, carries out the method in the foregoing firstaspect or various possible implementations thereof. The communicationdevice referred to herein may be, for example, a chip.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a communication device having storedthereon a computer program which when being executed by thecommunication device, carries out the method in the foregoing secondaspect or various possible implementations thereof. The communicationdevice referred to herein may be, for example, a chip.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a communication device which can be theterminal device in the foregoing third aspect or various possibleimplementations thereof, or a chip arranged in the terminal device. Thecommunication device includes a processor which is coupled with a memoryand can be configured to execute instructions in the memory to carry outthe method in the foregoing first aspect or various possibleimplementations thereof. In some embodiments, the communication devicefurther includes the memory. In some embodiments, the communicationdevice further includes a communication interface with which theprocessor is coupled.

When the communication device is the terminal device, the communicationinterface may be a transceiver, or an input/output interface.

When the communication device is the chip arranged in the terminaldevice, the communication interface may be an input/output interface.

In some embodiments, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Insome embodiments, the input/output interface may be an input/outputcircuit.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a communication device which can be thenetwork device in the foregoing fourth aspect or various possibleimplementations thereof, or a chip arranged in the network device. Thecommunication device includes a processor which is coupled with a memoryand which can be configured to execute instructions in the memory tocarry out the method in the foregoing second aspect or various possibleimplementations thereof. In some embodiments, the communication devicefurther includes the memory. In some embodiments, the communicationdevice further includes a communication interface with which theprocessor is coupled.

When the communication device is the network device, the communicationinterface may be a transceiver, or an input/output interface.

When the communication device is the chip arranged in the networkdevice, the communication interface may be an input/output interface.

In some embodiments, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Insome embodiments, the input/output interface may be an input/outputcircuit.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a communication system, including: anetwork device and a terminal device. The terminal device is configuredto perform the method in the foregoing first aspect or various possibleimplementations thereof. The network device is configured to perform themethod in the foregoing second aspect or various possibleimplementations thereof.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a chip which is connected to a memory andis configured to read and execute a software program stored in thememory to carry out the method provided in any of the first to secondaspects or any possible implementations of any of the aspects.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is provided a chip including a processor and amemory, and the processor is configured to read a software programstored in the memory to carry out the method provided in any of thefirst to second aspects or any possible implementation of any of theaspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a mobilecommunication system to which embodiments of the present application areapplied;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary structure of a SSB:

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a synchronization signal blockinformation processing method according to an embodiment of theapplication;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of SSB transmission in an unlicensedspectrum;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram of transmission positions of SSBs with aQCL relationship;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a module structure of a synchronizationsignal block information processing device according to an embodiment ofthe application;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a module structure of anothersynchronization signal block information processing device according toan embodiment of the application:

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another terminal deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present application:

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another network deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a mobilecommunication system to which the embodiments of the present applicationare applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile communication system mayinclude a core network device 110, a radio access network device 120,and at least one terminal device (a terminal device 130 and a terminaldevice 140 as shown in FIG. 1). The terminal device is connected to theradio access network device 120 in a wireless manner, and the radioaccess network device 120 is connected to the core network device 110 ina wireless or wired manner. The core network device 110 and the radioaccess network device 120 can be separate and different physicaldevices, or functions of the core network device 110 and logicalfunctions of the radio access network device 120 can be integrated on asame physical device, and it is also possible to integrate part of thefunctions of the core network device 110 and part of functions of theradio access network device 120 on a single physical device. Theterminal device can be fixed in location or be movable. FIG. 1 is only aschematic diagram, and the mobile communication system may also includeother network devices, such as a wireless relay device and a wirelessbackhaul device, which are not shown in FIG. 1. The number of the corenetwork devices 110, the radio access network devices 120 or theterminal devices included in the mobile communication system is notlimited in the embodiments of the present application.

The radio access network device 120 is an access device for a terminaldevices to access the mobile communication system in a wireless manner,which can be a node base (NodeB), an evolved node base (eNodeB), a nodebase in a 5G mobile communication system or a new radio (NR)communication, a node base in a future mobile communication system, aaccess node in a Wi-Fi system, etc., and the specific technologies andforms of the device adopted in the radio access network device 120 arenot limited in the embodiments of the present application. In theembodiments of the present application, the radio access network device120 is referred to as a network device. Unless otherwise specified, inthe embodiments of the present application, the network device refers tothe radio access network device 120. In addition, the terms 5G and NRcan be equivalently used in the embodiments of the present application.

The terminal device may also be referred to as a terminal, userequipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT) or thelike. The terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet, a computerwith a wireless transceiving function, a virtual reality (VR) terminaldevice, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminalin industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wirelessterminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid,a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in asmart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc.

The radio access network device 120 and the terminal device can bedeployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld orvehicle-mounted, can be deployed on water, or be deployed on anairplane, a balloon or a satellite in the air. The application scenariosof the radio access network device 120 and the terminal device are notlimited in the embodiments of the present application.

The radio access network device 120 and the terminal device cancommunicate with each other through a licensed spectrum or an unlicensedspectrum, or communicate with each other through both the licensedspectrum and the unlicensed spectrum. The radio access network device120 and the terminal device can communicate with each other through thespectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz) or the spectrum above 6 GHz, orcommunicate with each other by using both the spectrum below 6 GHz andthe spectrum above 6 GHz. The spectrum resources used in thecommunication between the radio access network device 120 and theterminal device are not limited in the embodiments of the presentapplication.

To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the presentapplication by those skilled in the art, the terms involved in theembodiments of the present application are firstly explained below.

1. SSB

The SSB includes a synchronization signal (SS) and a physical broadcastchannel (PBCH), where the SS includes a primary synchronization signal(PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS).

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary structure of the SSB. As shown inFIG. 2, PSS, SSS and PBCH are packaged together into one SSB fortransmission.

2. QCL

When two SSBs are QCL, it can be considered that large-scale parametersof the two SSBs can be inferred from each other, or be similar to eachother. The large-scale parameters may include a Doppler delay, anaverage delay, a spatial reception parameter, and so on.

Exemplarily, in the NR system, in a scenario where measurement isperformed through SSB, the network device sends multiple SSBs to theterminal device in a certain period. When the terminal device performsthe measurement, it identifies which of the SSBs are QCL according toSSB numbers, and performs filtering on the QCL SSBs as a measurementresult of a beam level.

Taking the mobile communication system shown in FIG. 1 as an NR systemas an example, when the NR system works in the licensed spectrum, thenetwork device sends the SSBs in a certain period. In the SSBtransmission period, the transmission position of each SSB is fixed. Foreach position for the SSB transmission, a number can be assigned to theSSB transmitted at this position, and the number is sequentiallynumbered according to the order of the positions where the SSBs aretransmitted. For example, assuming that the network device sends aquantity L of the SSBs in the period where L is an integer greater thanor equal to 1, the SSBs in each period are sequentially numbered from 0to L−1. On the one hand, the number can reflect the transmissionposition of the SSB in the SSB transmission period. For example, if thenumber of the SSB is 0, it indicates that the SSB is sent at a firstposition in the transmission period. On the other hand, the number canalso reflect the QCL relationship between the SSBs. Specifically, theSSBs in the same antenna transmission direction are sent at positionswith the same number. After the terminal device receives the SSBs, if itdetermines that the numbers of two SSBs are the same, it can beconsidered that the two SSBs are QCL.

With the rapid development of wireless communication technologies,spectrum resources are increasingly scarce. In order to solve theproblem of less available resources in the licensed spectrum, the NRsystem may not rely on the licensed spectrum, and completely work on theunlicensed spectrum. An NR system working on the unlicensed spectrum canbe called an NR-U system.

In the unlicensed spectrum where the NR-U system works, channelresources are shared, and in order to use the unlicensed spectrum withother systems, such as a communication systems of a different operator,a Wi-Fi network, etc., the transmission device in the NR-U system canuse a channel access mechanism of listen before talk (LBT) to use thechannel resources of the unlicensed spectrum. Specifically, prior toperforming transmission, the transmission device first performs channellistening on the channel, and when it is determined through the channellistening that the channel is idle, that is, when the channel listeningis successful or the LBT is successful, the transmission device canobtain right to use the channel, and then perform transmission on thechannel for which the use right is obtained. It is to be noted that thetransmission device here can be a network device or a terminal device.If the device that initiates LBT is the network device, the transmissiondevice is the network device and the receiving device is the terminaldevice, and if the device that initiates LBT is the terminal device, thetransmission device is the terminal device and the receiving device isthe network device. Since it is necessary for the transmitting device toobtain the channel use right through LBT prior to performing thetransmission, it is difficult to guarantee that the SSBs can be sent atthe fixed positions in each SSB transmission period. Therefore, it is nolonger possible to determine the QCL relationship of the SSBs bydirectly comparing the SSB numbers. For example, in the NR system, theSSBs in the same antenna transmission direction are always sent at thefirst position of each period, and these SSBs have the number 0corresponding to the first position so that the terminal device candetermine that these SSBs are QCL directly according to the numbers ofthese SSB. In the NR-U system, however, in a first period, an SSB withan antenna transmission direction 1 is sent at the first position, andthe number of this SSB is the number 0 corresponding to this position,and in a second period, the network device successfully obtains anavailable channel through LBT at the position of number 1 and thus inthe second period, the network device cannot continue to use theposition of number 0 to transmit the SSB with the antenna transmissiondirection 1 but can only use the available channel position (e.g., aposition of number 2) to transmit the SSB with the antenna direction 1,that is, the SSBs of the same antenna transmission direction 1 (that is,the two SSBs which are QCL) are not transmitted at the position of thesame number. Therefore, when receiving the SSBs sent in the two periods,the terminal device cannot directly use the SSB numbers to determinewhether the SSBs are QCL.

In view of the above problems, in the embodiments of the presentapplication, there is proposed a synchronization signal blockinformation processing in which after receiving SSBs, the terminaldevice can determine the QCL relationship between the SSBs according toidentifiers of the SSBs and first indication information. With thismethod, it cannot only guarantee that the QCL relationship between theSSBs can be obtained accurately by the terminal device, but alsoeffectively use the channel resources between a start position of thechannel occupation and a start position of the SSB transmission, therebyensuring the utilization efficiency of system resources in theunlicensed spectrum.

It is to be noted that the methods provided in the embodiments of thepresent application can be applied to the above-mentioned NR-U system,but are not limited thereto, and can also be applied to othercommunication systems as long as there is an entity that needs to sendthe SSB and another entity that needs to confirm the QCL relationship ofthe SSBs in the mobile communication system. That is to say, the methodsused in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to anymobile communication system that needs to confirm the QCL SSBs,including a mobile communication system that works in the licensedspectrum (such as a NR system, etc.), a mobile communication system thatrelies on assistance of the licensed spectrum (such as a LTE-A system, aLAA system, etc.), and other mobile communication systems that workcompletely on the unlicensed spectrum (such as a LTE-U system, a Wi-Fisystem, a V2X system, etc.), for example.

The technical solutions according to the embodiments of the presentapplication will be described in detail below in conjunction withspecific embodiments. The following specific embodiments can be combinedwith each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may notbe repeated in some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a synchronization signal blockinformation processing method according to an embodiment of theapplication. As shown in FIG. 3, the method includes the followingsteps.

In S301, a network device sends a first SSB and a second SSB to aterminal device.

In some embodiments, the network device can send the SSBs in a certainperiod. Exemplarily, in the NR system, the protocol specifies an upperlimit of the number of the SSBs that can be sent in one period indifferent spectrums. For example, in the spectrum below 6 GHz, a maximumnumber of 8 SSBs are permitted to be sent in one period, and in thespectrum above 6 GHz, up to 64 SSBs are permitted to be sent in oneperiod. In the premise of complying with such restriction, the networkdevice can flexibly select the number of the SSBs sent in the period asneeded. For example, when working in the spectrum below 6 GHz, thenetwork device can actually send 4 SSBs in one period.

In the embodiments of the present application, the first SSB and thesecond SSB may be two SSBs in different periods, or two SSBs in the sameperiod, which is not particularly limited in the embodiments of thepresent application. Correspondingly, the two SSBs that are QCL witheach other can be sent in different periods or in the same period.

After receiving the SSB, the terminal device can obtain an identifier ofthe SSB, which indicates a transmission position of the SSB within acertain period of time. In some embodiments, the identifier of the SSBmay be an SSB number. The SSB number represents the transmissionposition of the SSB within the certain period of time. Exemplarily, ifthe SSB number is 0, it means that the SSB is transmitted at a positionnumbered 0.

The certain period of time mentioned above may refer to the foregoingtransmission period or a period of time within the foregoingtransmission period. As an optional implementation, in the transmissionperiod, the network device may restrict all the SSBs to be sent withinhalf of a frame. Therefore, optionally, the certain period of timementioned above may refer to half of the frame. In other examples, thecertain period of time mentioned above may also be 2 ms, 4 ms, or 8 ms.

After receiving the SSB, the terminal device may obtain the identifierof the SSB in any of the following manners, which is not particularlylimited in the embodiments of the present application.

In a first manner, the terminal device determines the identifiers ofdifferent SSBs by detecting demodulation reference signal (DMRS)sequences of different physical broadcast channels (PBCHs).

In a second manner, the terminal device determines the identifiers ofdifferent SSBs through information carried in the PBCHs.

In a third manner, the terminal device determines the identifiers of theSSBs by both detecting the DMRS sequences of the different PBCHs andusing the information carried in the PBCHs.

In S302, the terminal device determines whether the first SSB and thesecond SSB are QCL according to the identifiers of the first and secondSSBs, and the first indication information.

In an optional implementation, the first indication information is usedfor indicating a first quantity which is related to a number of the SSBssent by the network device within a set period of time.

The network device can send the SSBs based on the first quantityindicated by the first indication information. Exemplarily, assumingthat the first quantity indicated by the first indication information is4, if the network device first transmits one SSB at a position of number0, the SSBs that have the QCL relationship with this SSB can only betransmitted on the positions of number 0, number 4, number 8, number 12,number 16, etc. That is, results of these position numbers mod 4 are thesame.

The first indication information may be information specified by theprotocol or information obtained by negotiation between the networkdevice and the terminal device in advance, or the first indicationinformation may also be information indicated by the network device tothe terminal device, which is not particularly limited in theembodiments of the present application.

After obtaining the first indication information, the terminal devicemay directly obtain the first quantity from the first indicationinformation, or obtain the first quantity through a certain calculatingprocess.

After obtaining the first quantity, the terminal device can determinewhether the first SSB and the second SSB are QCL according to theidentifier of the first SSB, the identifier of the second SSB, and thefirst quantity.

In some embodiments, the terminal calculates a result of a SSB number ofthe first SSB mod the first quantity, and calculates the result of theSSB number of the second SSB mod the first quantity, and determineswhether the two modulo results are equal, and if they are equal, itdetermines that the first SSB and the second SSB are QCL. That is, ifthe result of the SSB number of the first SSB mod the first quantity isequal to result of the SSB number of the second SSB mod the firstquantity, the first SSB and the second SSB are QCL.

The method provided in the embodiments of the present application isexemplarily explained below by way of example.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of the SSB transmission in theunlicensed spectrum. As shown in FIG. 4, the SSB transmission period isT. Assuming that the number of the SSBs actually sent by the networkdevice in each period is 2, the network device uses the quantity of 2 asthe first indication information to indicate to the terminal device. Ineach period, there are 20 information transmission positions, numberedfrom 0 to 19. In the period starting from t0 (assumed to be the firstperiod), all positions numbered 0-19 can be used for the SSBtransmission. Therefore, the network device can send the SSB at theposition numbered 0. In the period starting from t0+T (assumed to be thesecond period), the positions available for the SSB transmissionobtained by the network device through the LBT are the positionsnumbered 2 to 19. As such, the SSB which has the QCL relationship withthe SSB sent in the first period cannot be sent by using the sameposition numbered 0 as in the first period. Based on the quantity of 2indicated by the first indication information, the network device mayselect the position numbered 2 (that is, number of 0 plus 2) to sendthis SSB in the second period. When receiving the SSB in the firstperiod and the SSB in the second period, the terminal device obtains theSSB number of the SSB in the first period, that is, number 0, and theSSB number of the SSB in the second period, that is, number 2, andperform an operation of the number 0 mod the quantity of 2 indicated bythe first indication information and the operation of the number 2 modthe quantity of 2, and thus obtains the same modulo result. Therefore,the terminal device can determine that the two SSBs in the first periodand the second period are QCL. Accordingly, although the two SSBs in thefirst period and the second period are not sent at the same numberedposition, that is, the two SSBs do not have the same SSB number, sincethe first indication information is introduced in the embodiments of thepresent application, the network device can send the SSBs at specificpositions according to the first quantity indicated by the firstindication information. Accordingly, the terminal device can stillaccurately determine whether the SSBs are QCL through the first quantityindicated by the first indication information and the identifiers of theSSBs. Therefore, with the method in the embodiments of the presentapplication, it can ensure that the terminal device accurately obtainsthe QCL relationship between the SSBs. At the same time, the channelresources between the start position of the channel occupation and thestart position of the SSB transmission can be further effectively usedas long as the first indication information is appropriately set, andthe utilization efficiency of system resources in the unlicensedspectrum can be ensured. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, if thequantity determined by the first indication information is 8, the SSB inthe second period can be sent only from the position numbered 8 so as toensure that the terminal device can accurately determine the two SSBs inthe first and second periods are QCL. As such, the positions numbered2,3,4,5,6 and 7 between the start position 8 of the channel occupationand the start position 2 available for the SSB transmission cannot beused for the SSB transmission, resulting in a waste in the channelresources. If the quantity indicated by the first indication informationis 2, the SSB in the second period can be sent from the positionnumbered 2, which can ensure that the terminal device can accuratelydetermine that the two SSBs in the first and second periods are QCL, andat this time, there is no waste of the channel resources.

In the present embodiment, the network device sends the SSBs at specificpositions according to the first indication information. After receivingthe SSB, the terminal device can determine the QCL relationship betweenthe SSBs according to the identifiers of the SSBs and the firstindication information. With this method, it cannot only ensure that theterminal device accurately obtains the QCL relationship between theSSBs, but also effectively use the channel resources between the startposition of the channel occupation and the start position available forthe SSB transmission, and thus ensure the utilization efficiency of thesystem resources in the unlicensed spectrum.

As mentioned earlier, in the NR system, the protocol specifies the upperlimit of the number of SSBs that can be sent in one period in differentspectrums, which is assumed to be L. As a possible design, the firstindication information may be information indicating L, that is, thefirst quantity indicated by the first indication information is L. Anexample of the transmission positions of the SSBs having the QCLrelationship with each other is as shown in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 5,assuming that the NR-U system works below 6 GHz and L is equal to 8, forexample, the SSBs which are transmitted at the positions numbered 0, 8,16 and 24 are QCL, and the result of each of these position numbers mod8 is equal to each other. For another example, if L is equal to 4, theSSBs sent at the positions numbered 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 are QCL,and the result of each of these position numbers mod 4 is equal to eachother.

In addition, the first quantity indicated by the first indicationinformation may also be related to the number of the SSBs actually sentby the network device.

There are several possible design manners for first indicationinformation as following.

In a first manner, the first indication information includes the numberof the SSBs actually sent by the network device, and the first quantityis the number of the SSBs actually sent by the network device.

In this manner, the first quantity is equal to the number of the SSBsactually sent by the network device.

Taking the manner in which the first indication information is indicatedby the network device to the terminal device as an example, the networkdevice can directly send the number of the SSBs actually sent by thenetwork device to the terminal device as the first indicationinformation. After receiving the first indication information, theterminal device can be aware of that the first quantity is the number ofthe sent SSBs, and can determine the QCL relationship of the SSBs basedon the number of the sent SSBs by using the method as described above.Exemplarily, the network device sends the number 4 of the SSBs that areactually sent, as the first indication information, to the terminaldevice, and after receiving and determining the first indicationinformation, that is, the number of 4, the terminal device can determinethat the first quantity used for determining the QCL relationship of theSSBs is 4.

In a second manner, the first indication information includes anumerical value n, and the first quantity is obtained by rounding up thenumber of the SSBs actually sent by the network device up to nth powerof 2, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

The following are several examples of the first quantity obtained in thesecond manner.

In a first example, assuming that the number of the SSBs actually sentby the network device is 1, the first quantity is the result obtained byrounding up 1 up to the nth power of 2, and the first quantity may be 1,2, 4, or 8. Therefore, the network device can indicate that the firstquantity is one of 1, 2, 4, and 8 through the first indicationinformation. Accordingly, the terminal device determines through thefirst indication information that the first quantity is the one of 1, 2,4, and 8.

In a second example, assuming that the number of the SSBs actually sentby the network device is 2, the first quantity is the result obtained byrounding up 2 up to the nth power of 2, and the first quantity may be 2,4, or 8. Therefore, the network device can indicate that the firstquantity is one of 2, 4, and 8 through the first indication information.Accordingly, the terminal device determines through the first indicationinformation that the first quantity is the one of 2, 4, and 8.

In a third example, assuming that the number of the SSBs actually sentby the network device is 3, the first quantity is the result obtained byrounding up 3 up to the nth power of 2, and the first quantity may be 4or 8. Therefore, the network device can indicate that the first quantityis one of 4 and 8 through the first indication information. Accordingly,the terminal device determines through the first indication informationthat the first quantity is the one of 4 and 8.

In a fourth example, assuming that the number of the SSBs actually sentby the network device is 4, the first quantity is the result obtained byrounding up 4 up to the nth power of 2, and the first quantity may be 4or 8. Therefore, the network device can indicate that the first quantityis one of 4 and 8 through the first indication information. Accordingly,the terminal device determines through the first indication informationthat the first quantity is the one of 4 and 8.

In a fifth example, assuming that the number of the SSBs actually sentby the network device is 5, the first quantity is the result obtained byrounding up 5 up to the nth power of 2, and the first quantity may be 8.Therefore, the network device can indicate that the first quantity is 8through the first indication information. Accordingly, the terminaldevice determines through the first indication information that thefirst quantity is 8.

In a sixth example, assuming that the number of the SSBs actually sentby the network device is 6, the first quantity is the result obtained byrounding up 6 up to the nth power of 2, and the first quantity may be 8.Therefore, the network device can indicate that the first quantity is 8through the first indication information. Accordingly, the terminaldevice determines through the first indication information that thefirst quantity is 8.

In a seventh example, assuming that the number of the SSBs actually sentby the network device is 7, the first quantity is the result obtained byrounding up 7 up to the nth power of 2, and the first quantity may be 8.Therefore, the network device can indicate that the first quantity is 8through the first indication information. Accordingly, the terminaldevice determines through the first indication information that thefirst quantity is 8.

In an eighth example, assuming that the number of the SSBs actually sentby the network device is 8, the first quantity is the result obtained byrounding up 8 up to the nth power of 2, and the first quantity may be 8.Therefore, the network device can indicate that the first quantity is 8through the first indication information. Accordingly, the terminaldevice determines through the first indication information that thefirst quantity is 8.

Take the manner in which the first indication information is indicatedby the network device to the terminal device as an example. In thismanner, the first indication information indicated by the network deviceto the terminal device is the numerical value n. After receiving anddetermining the numerical value n, the terminal device calculates theresult of the nth power of 2 and uses this calculation result as thefirst quantity so as to determine the QCL relationship of the SSBs.

Exemplarily, assuming that the number of the SSBs actually sent by thenetwork device is 8, n may be 3, that is, the above-mentioned firstindication information is the numerical value of 3. After receiving thefirst indication information, that is, the numerical value of 3, theterminal device calculates the cube of 2 to obtain the result of 8, andthus it can determine that the first quantity is 8.

In this manner, fewer resources can be used to represent the firstindication information. For example, in the above example ofrepresenting the first quantity of 8, it only needs 2 bits (the firstindication information is 3, which occupies 2 bits) in this manner,whereas 3 bits are required in the first manner above (the firstindication information is 8, occupying 3 bits).

In a third manner, the first indication information includes m, and thefirst quantity is obtained by rounding up the number of the SSBsactually sent by the network device up to 2 m, where m is an integergreater than or equal to 1.

Take the manner in which the first indication information is indicatedby the network device to the terminal device as an example. In thismanner, the first indication information indicated by the network deviceto the terminal device is the numerical value m. After receiving anddetermining the numerical value m, the terminal device calculates aproduct of m and 2 and uses this product as the first quantity so as todetermine the QCL relationship of the SSBs.

Exemplarily, assuming that the number of the SSBs actually sent by thenetwork device is 8, in may be 4, that is, the above-mentioned firstindication information is the numerical value of 4. After receiving thefirst indication information, that is, the numerical value of 4, theterminal device calculates the product of 2 and 4 to obtain the resultof 8, and thus it can determine that the first quantity is 8.

In this manner, still, fewer resources can be used to represent thefirst indication information. For example, in the above example ofrepresenting the first quantity of 8, it only needs 2 bits (the firstindication information is 4, which occupies 2 bits) in this manner,whereas 3 bits are required in the first manner above (the firstindication information is 8, occupying 3 bits).

As mentioned above, the first indication information may be theinformation specified by the protocol, the information obtained by thenegotiation between the network device and the terminal device inadvance, or the information indicated by the network device to theterminal device.

As for the first manner, the first indication information is fixedinformation, which can be directly used by the terminal device, and thusit will not be repeated here.

As for the second manner, the network device can interact with theterminal device by using a specific message to negotiate the firstindication information. Exemplarily, the network device first sends thefirst indication information to be selected to the terminal device, theterminal device judges the first indication information and returns tothe network device response information in which information regardingwhether to agree to use the first indication Information or not iscarried. The method for the network device to send the first indicationinformation to be selected to the terminal device may be the same asthat for indicating the first indication information in the third mannerbelow, and reference can be made to the process in the third mannerbelow.

As for the third manner, the network device indicates the firstindication information to the terminal device, and the terminal devicereceives and saves the first indication information, and uses the firstquantity indicated by the first indication information to determine theQCL relationship of the SSBs after receiving the SSBs.

In some embodiments, the network device may indicate the firstindication information in any of the following ways.

1. Indicating Through a Master Information Block (MIB)

In the NR system and the NR-U system, the network device continuouslybroadcast a system message repeatedly, and the broadcast system messageincludes a MIB message and a system information block (SIB) messagewhich is described below. The MIB message is transmitted in a physicalbroadcast channel (PBCH), and the SIB message is transmitted in aphysical downlink shared channel. In order to access the cell normally,the terminal device needs to read the system message.

In this manner, the first indication information is carried in the MIBmessage which is broadcast by the network device. In an exemplaryscenario, when the terminal device performs an initial access, afterreceiving the MIB message broadcast by the network device, the terminaldevice can further determine the first quantity by reading the firstindication information carried in the MIB message, and use the firstquantity in subsequent determination of the QCL relationship.

In an example, the network device may use a cell parameter of a specificformat in the MIB to carry the first indication information, and theterminal device parses the MIB in accordance with the specific format soas to read the first indication information.

In an example where the first indication information is in the firstdesign manner mentioned above, that is, the first indication informationincludes the number of the SSBs actually sent by the network device, andthe first quantity is the number of the SSBs actually sent by thenetwork device, an exemplary structure of the MIB message is as follows.

MIB ::= SEQUENCE {  ...   ssb-Num   INTEGER (1..Kmax),  ... }where ssb-Num represents the first indication information; (1 . . .Kmax) represents a value range of the first indication information, andKmax represents a maximum value of the first quantity.

When the first indication information is in the second design manner asdescribed above, that is, when the first quantity indicated by the firstindication information is a certain integer determined from the nthpower of 2, an exemplary structure of the MIB message is as follows.

MIB ::= SEQUENCE {  ...   ssb-Num   INTEGER (1..Kmax),  ... }where ssb-Num represents the first indication information; (1 . . .Kmax) represents a value range of the first indication information, andKmax represents a maximum value of the first quantity.

2. Indicating Through Information Carried by PBCH

Part of the information of the PBCH is generated by a physical layer ofthe network device, and the other part of the information is generatedby a higher layer of the network device. The information carried by thePBCH refers to the information generated by the physical layer of thenetwork device.

In this manner, the physical layer of the network device may use acertain number of bits in the information carried by the PBCH to carrythe first indication information. Exemplarily, when the first indicationinformation includes the number of the SSBs actually sent by the networkdevice, that is, the first indication information directly indicates thefirst quantity, the physical layer of the network device generatesinformation of N bits in the information carried by the PBCH, N is aninteger greater than 0 and the N bits are a1 to aN, and t can indicatethe first quantity.

In an example, if the first indication information is in the firstdesign manner as described above, that is, the first indicationinformation includes the number of the SSBs actually sent by the networkdevice, and the first quantity is the number of the SSBs actually sentby the network device, assuming that N is 3, 3 bits can have a range ofvalues from 000 to 111, and each of these values corresponds to a valuefrom 1 to 8. If the 3-bit information carried in the PBCH informationcarried by the physical layer of the network device is 111, it indicatesthat the first quantity indicated by the network device is 8.

In another example, if the first indication information is in the seconddesign manner as described above, that is, the first indicationinformation includes the numerical value n, and the first quantity isthe number obtained by rounding up the number of the SSBs actually sentby the network device up to the nth power of 2, assuming N is 2, 2 bitscan have a range of values from 00 to 11, and each of the valuescorresponds to a value from 0 to 3. If the 2-bit information carried inthe PBCH information carried by the physical layer of the network deviceis 11, it indicates that n is equal to 3. The terminal device thencalculates the result of the cube of 2, which is 8, that is, theterminal device determines that the first quantity is 8.

In still another example, if the first indication information is in thethird design manner as described above, that is, the first indicationinformation includes the numerical value m, and the first quantity isthe number obtained by rounding up the number of the SSBs actually sentby the network device up to 2 m, assuming N is 2, 2 bits can have arange of values from 00 to 11, and each of the values corresponds to avalue from 0 to 3. If the 2-bit information carried in the PBCHinformation carried by the physical layer of the network device is 10,it indicates that n is equal to 3. The terminal device then calculatesthe product of 2 and 3, which is 6, that is, the terminal devicedetermines that the first quantity is 6.

3. Indicating Through a DeModulation Reference Signal (DMRS) Sequence ofPBCH

The DMRS sequence of the PBCH is generated by the higher layer of thenetwork device. The higher layer of the network device can generatedifferent DMRS sequences, and the network device can indicate differentfirst indication information through the different DMRS sequences.

In an example, each DMRS of the PBCH represents one piece of firstindication information.

For example, the terminal device detects different DMRS sequences of thePBCH, and determines the first indication information based on thedetected DMRS sequences. Specifically, content indicated by the firstindication information in the DMRS sequences of the PBCH is as follows:the DMRS sequences of the PBCH have Kmax different sequences, and eachsequence represents a different piece of first indication information.For example, the DMRS sequences of the PBCH have 4 different sequences,and each sequence represents a different piece of first indicationinformation. Sequence 1 represents that the first indication informationis 1, sequence 2 represents that the first indication information is 2,sequence 3 represents that the first indication information is 3, andsequence 4 represents that the first indication information is 4.

In another example, the DMRSs of the PBCH can be divided into differentDMRS groups, and each DMRS group represents one piece of firstindication information.

For example, the terminal device detects different DMRS sequences of thePBCH, and determines the first indication information based on thedetected DMRS sequences. Specifically, content indicated by the firstindication information in the DMRS sequences of the PBCH is as follows:the DMRS sequences of the PBCH have Kmax different sequences, and everytwo sequences represent a different piece of first indicationinformation. For example, the DMRS sequences of the PBCH have 8different sequences, and every two sequences represent one differentpiece of first indication information. Sequences 1 and 2 represent thatthe first indication information is 1, sequences 3 and 4 represent thatthe first indication information is 2, sequences 5 and 6 represent thatthe first indication information is 3, and sequences 7 and 8 representthat the first indication information is 4.

4. Indicating Through a System Information Block (SIB)

As mentioned above, the system message broadcast by the network deviceincludes the MIB message and the SIB message.

In an example, the network device may carry one piece of firstindication information in the SIB message, and the piece of firstindication information may be applied to all cells at the frequencypoint corresponding to the SIB message, that is, all the cells at thisfrequency point determine the QCL relationship by using the firstquantity indicated by the first indication information carried in theSIB information.

In some embodiments, in this example, the SIB message may be a SIB1message, SIB2 message, SIB3 message, or SIB4 message.

The SIB1 message is mainly used to describe system information relatedto cell access and the service of the home cell after the access. Itshould be understood that when the first indication information iscarried by the SIB1 message, the first indication information may beapplied to the current cell of the current frequency point correspondingto the SIB1 message.

The information in the SIB2 message can be used for co-frequency cellreselection. It should be understood that when the first indicationinformation is carried in the SIB2 message, the first indicationinformation may be applied to all cells at the frequency pointcorresponding to the SIB2 message. The information in the SIB3 messageis mainly used for co-frequency cell reselection. It should beunderstood that when the first indication information is carried in theSIB3 message, the first indication information may be applied to allcells at the frequency point corresponding to the SIB3 message.

The information in the SIB4 message is mainly used for inter-frequencycell reselection. It should be understood that when the first indicationinformation is carried in the SIB4 message, the SIB4 message may carryone or more pieces of first indication information, and each piece offirst indication information may be applied to all the cells at thecorresponding frequency point.

In the following, examples in which the first indication information iscarried in the SIB1 message, SIB2 message, SIB3 message and SIB4message, respectively, are described below.

1. Carrying the First Indication Information in the SIB1 Message

As mentioned above, the SIB1 message is mainly used to describe thesystem information related to the cell access and the service of thehome cell after the access. Accordingly, the first indicationinformation carried in the SIB1 message can be used in the current cellaccess at the current frequency point and the cell service after theaccess.

An example of a message structure of the SIB1 message carrying the firstindication information is as following.

SIB1 ::= SEQUENCE {  ...   ssb-Num       INTEGER (1..Kmax),  ... }where ssb-Num represents the first indication information, (1 . . .Kmax) represents a value range of the first indication information, andKmax represents a maximum value of the first quantity.

2. Carrying the First Indication Information in the SIB2 Message

As mentioned above, the information in the SIB2 message can be used forthe co-frequency cell reselection. Accordingly, the first indicationinformation carried in the SIB2 message can be applied to all the cellsat the frequency point corresponding to the SIB2 message. An example ofthe message structure of the SIB2 message carrying the first indicationinformation is as following.

SIB2::= SEQUENCE {  ...   ssb-Num       INTEGER (1..Kmax),  ... }where ssb-Num represents the first indication information; (1 . . .Kmax) represents a value range of the first indication information, andKmax represents a maximum value of the first quantity.

Based on this exemplary message structure, the terminal devicedetermines the first quantity according to the ssb-Num parameter afterreceiving the SIB2 message, and determines whether the SSBs are QCLaccording to the first quantity.

3. Carrying the First Indication Information in the SIB3 Message

As mentioned above, the information in the SIB3 message is mainly usedfor the co-frequency cell reselection. Accordingly, the first indicationinformation carried in the SIB3 message can be applied to all the cellsat the frequency point corresponding to the SIB3 message. An example ofthe message structure of the SIB3 message carrying the first indicationinformation is as following.

SIB3 ::= SEQUENCE {  ...   ssb-Num       INTEGER (1..Kmax),  ... }where ssb-Num represents the first indication information; (1 . . .Kmax) represents a value range of the first indication information, andKmax represents a maximum value of the first quantity.

Based on this exemplary message structure, the terminal devicedetermines the first quantity according to the ssb-Num parameter afterreceiving the SIB3 message, and determines whether the SSBs are QCLaccording to the first quantity.

4. Carrying the First Indication Information in the SIB4 Message

As mentioned above, the information in the SIB4 message is mainly usedfor the inter-frequency cell reselection. Accordingly, the firstindication information carried in the SIB4 message can be applied to allthe cells at frequency points corresponding to the SIB4 message. Sincethe SIB4 message can indicate information of the inter-frequency cellreselection at multiple frequency points, and the first indicationinformation is used for all the cells at each of the frequency pointscorresponding to the SIB4 message, the first indication information isindication information of a frequency point level in the SIB4 message.An example of the message structure of the SIB4 message carrying thefirst indication information is as following.

 SIB4 ::=  SEQUENCE {   ...    interFreqCarrierFreqList     InterFreqCarrierFreqList,   ...  }  InterFreqCarrierFreqList::= SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxFreq)) OF InterFreqCarrierFreqInfo

The above message structure includes one or moreInterFreqCarrierFreqInfo, and each InterFreqCarrierFreqInfo representsinter-frequency cell reselection information corresponding to afrequency point. In this example, InterFreqCarrierFreqInfo carries onessb-Num, which is used for indicating the first indication informationof all the cells at this frequency point. An example of the message isas follows.

InterFreqCarrierFreqInfo::=  SEQUENCE {  ...   ssb-Num INTEGER(1..Kmax),  ... }where ssb-Num represents the first indication information; (1 . . .Kmax) represents a value range of the first indication information, andKmax represents a maximum value of the first quantity.

Based on this exemplary message structure, the terminal device reads theInterFreqCarrierFreqInfo of each frequency point after receiving theSIB4 message, and then reads the ssb-Num from theInterFreqCarrierFreqInfo, determines the first quantity according to thessb-Num parameter, and then determines whether the SSBs are QCLaccording to the first quantity.

In another example, the network device may also carry a first indicationinformation list in the SIB message, the list includes multiple piecesof first indication information, and each piece of first indicationinformation may be applied to one or more cells.

In some embodiments, in this example, the SIB message may be the SIB2message, SIB3 message, or SIB4 message.

It should be understood that when the first indication information listis carried in the SIB2 message or the SIB3 message, the first indicationinformation list includes one or more pieces of first indicationinformation, and each piece of first indication information may beapplied to one cell or to multiple cells.

It should be understood that when the first indication information listis carried in the SIB4 message, the SIB4 message may carry one or morefirst indication information lists, each of the first indicationinformation lists includes one or more piece of first indicationinformation, and each piece of first indication information may beapplied to one cell or to multiple cells.

In the following, examples in which the first indication informationlist is carried in the SIB2 message, SIB3 message and SIB4,respectively, are described below.

1. Carrying the First Indication Information List in the SIB2 Message

In a first case, the SIB2 message carries one first indicationinformation list, and each piece of first indication information in thefirst indication information list is applied to one cell. An exemplarymessage structure in this case is as follows.

SIB2 ::=  SEQUENCE {  ... ssb-Num-list SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..Cmax)) OFssb-Num,  ... } wherein ssb-Num ::=   SEQUENCE {   ...   physCellId    PhysCellId,   ssb-Num    INTEGER (1..Kmax),  ... }where ssb-Num-list represents the first indication information listwhich includes one or more ssb-Num structures, and Cmax represents alength of the first indication information list. In the ssb-Numstructure, physCellId represents a cell identifier, the ssb-Numparameter represents the first indication information corresponding tothe cell identified as physCellId, (1 . . . Kmax) represents a valuerange of the first indication information, and Kmax represents a maximumvalue of the first quantity.

Based on this exemplary message structure, the terminal device reads thessb-Num-list parameter after receiving the SIB2 message, and then readsthe one or more ssb-Num structures from the ssb-Num-list parameter,reads the ssb-Num parameter corresponding to the cell with theidentifier of physCellId from each ssb-Num structure, as the firstindication information, determines the first quantity based on thessb-Num parameter, and determines whether the SSBs with the cellidentifier of physCellId are QCL according to the first quantity.

In a second case, the SIB2 message carries one first indicationinformation list, and each piece of first indication information in thefirst indication information list is applied to multiple cells. Anexemplary message structure in this case is as follows:

SIB2::=  SEQUENCE {  ... ssb-Num-list SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..Qmax)) OFssb-Num,  ... } wherein ssb-Num ::=   SEQUENCE {   ...   ssb-Num    INTEGER (1..Kmax),   Q_physCellId-list    Q_PhysCellId list,  ... }where ssb-Num-list represents the first indication information listwhich includes one or more ssb-Num structures, and Qmax represents alength of the first indication information list. In the ssb-Numstructure, the ssb-Num parameter represents the first indicationinformation, (1 . . . Kmax) represents a value range of the firstindication information, and Kmax represents the maximum value of thefirst quantity. The Q_physCellId-list parameter indicates a group ofcells to which the ssb-Num parameter in the ssb-Num structure where theQ_physCellId-list parameter is located applies and which includes one ormore cells.

Based on this exemplary message structure, the terminal device reads thessb-Num-list parameter after receiving the SIB2 message, and then readsthe one or more ssb-Num structures from the ssb-Num-list parameter,reads the cell list Q_physCellIdlist from each ssb-Num structure, readsthe ssb-Num parameter as the first indication information, anddetermines the first quantity based on the ssb-Num parameter. The cellsin the cell list Q_physCellIdlist determine whether the SSBs are QCLaccording to the first quantity.

2. Carrying the First Indication Information List in the SIB3 Message

In a first case, the SIB3 message carries one first indicationinformation list, and each piece of first indication information in thefirst indication information list is applied to one cell. An exemplarymessage structure in this case is as follows.

SIB3 ::=  SEQUENCE {  ... ssb-Num-list SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..Cmax)) OFssb-Num,  ... } wherein ssb-Num ::=   SEQUENCE {   ...   physCellId    PhysCellId,   ssb-Num    INTEGER (1..Kmax),  ... }where ssb-Num-list represents the first indication information listwhich includes one or more ssb-Num structures, and Cmax represents alength of the first indication information list. In the ssb-Numstructure, physCellId represents a cell identifier, the ssb-Numparameter represents the first indication information corresponding tothe cell identified as physCellId, (1 . . . Kmax) represents a valuerange of the first indication information, and Kmax represents a maximumvalue of the first quantity.

Based on this exemplary message structure, the terminal device reads thessb-Num-list parameter after receiving the SIB3 message, and then readsone or more ssb-Num structures from the ssb-Num-list parameter, readsthe ssb-Num parameter corresponding to the cell with the identifier ofphysCellId from each ssb-Num structure, as the first indicationinformation, determines the first quantity based on the ssb-Numparameter, and determines whether the SSBs with the cell identifier ofphysCellId are QCL according to the first quantity.

In a second case, the SIB3 message carries one first indicationinformation list, and each piece of first indication information in thefirst indication information list is applied to multiple cells. Anexemplary message structure in this case is as follows.

SIB3 ::=  SEQUENCE {  ... ssb-Num-list SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..Qmax)) OFssb-Num,  ... } wherein ssb-Num ::=   SEQUENCE {   ...   ssb-Num    INTEGER (1..Kmax),   Q_physCellId-list    Q_PhysCellId list,  ... }where ssb-Num-list represents the first indication information listwhich includes one or more ssb-Num structures, and Qmax represents alength of the first indication information list. In the ssb-Numstructure, the ssb-Num parameter represents the first indicationinformation, (1 . . . Kmax) represents a value range of the firstindication information, and Kmax represents the maximum value of thefirst quantity. The Q_physCellId-list parameter indicates a group ofcells to which the ssb-Num parameter in the ssb-Num structure where theQ_physCellId-list parameter is located applies and which includes one ormore cells.

Based on this exemplary message structure, the terminal device reads thessb-Num-list parameter after receiving the SIB3 message, and then readsone or more ssb-Num structures from the ssb-Num-list parameter, readsthe cell list Q_physCellId-list from each ssb-Num structure, reads thessb-Num parameter as the first indication information, and determinesthe first quantity based on the ssb-Num parameter. The cells in the celllist Q_physCellId-list determine whether the SSBs are QCL according tothe first quantity.

3. Carrying the First Indication Information List in the SIB4 Message

In a first case, the SIB4 message carries one or more first indicationinformation lists each of which includes one or more pieces of firstindication information, and each piece of first indication informationcan be applied to one cell.

The following is an exemplary message structure in this case.

 SIB4 ::=  SEQUENCE {   ...    interFreqCarrierFreqList     InterFreqCarrierFreqList,   ...  }  InterFreqCarrierFreqList::=  SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxFreq)) OF InterFreqCarrierFreqInfo

The above message structure includes one or more piece ofInterFreqCarrierFreqInfo, and each piece of InterFreqCarrierFreqInforepresents inter-frequency cell reselection information corresponding toa frequency point. In this example, the InterFreqCarrierFreqInfo carriesone first indication information list. An example of the message is asfollows.

InterFreqCarrierFreqInfo::=     SEQUENCE {  ... ssb-Num-list SEQUENCE(SIZE (1..Cmax)) OF ssb-Num,  ... } wherein ssb-Num ::=   SEQUENCE {  ...   physCellId     PhysCellId,   ssb-Num    INTEGER (1..Kmax),  ...}where ssb-Num-list represents the first indication information listwhich includes one or more ssb-Num structures, and Cmax represents alength of a cell list (the first indication information list). In thessb-Num structure, physCellId represents a cell identifier, the ssb-Numparameter represents the first indication information corresponding tothe cell identified as physCellId, (1 . . . Kmax) represents a valuerange of the first indication information, and Kmax represents a maximumvalue of the first quantity.

Based on this exemplary message structure, the terminal device reads theInterFreqCarrierFreqInfo of the respective frequency points afterreceiving the SIB4 message, reads the ssb-Num-list parameter from theInterFreqCarrierFreqInfo, and then reads one or more ssb-Num structuresfrom the ssb-Num-list parameter, reads the ssb-Num parametercorresponding to the cell with the identifier of physCellId from eachssb-Num structure, as the first indication information, determines thefirst quantity based on the ssb-Num parameter, and determines whetherthe SSBs with the cell identifier of physCellId are QCL according to thefirst quantity.

In a second case, the SIB4 message carries one or more first indicationinformation lists each of which includes one or more pieces of firstindication information, and each piece of first indication informationcan be applied to multiple cells.

The following is an exemplary message structure in this case.

 SIB4 ::=  SEQUENCE {   ...    interFreqCarrierFreqList     InterFreqCarrierFreqList,   ...  }  InterFreqCarrierFregList::=  SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxFreq)) OF InterFreqCarrierFreqInfo

The above message structure includes multiple piece ofInterFreqCarrierFreqInfo, and each piece of InterFreqCarrierFreqInforepresents inter-frequency cell reselection information corresponding toa frequency point. In this example, the InterFreqCarrierFreqInfo carriesone first indication information list. An example of the message is asfollows.

InterFreqCarrierFreqInfo::= SEQUENCE { ... ssb-Num-list SEQUENCE (SIZE(1..Qmax)) OF ssb-Num, ... } wherein, ssb-Num ::= SEQUENCE { ... ssb-NumINTEGER (1..Kmax), Q_physCellId-list Q_PhysCellId-list, ... }where ssb-Num-list represents the first indication information listwhich includes one or more ssb-Num structures, and Qmax represents alength of the first indication information list. In the ssb-Numstructure, the ssb-Num parameter represents the first indicationinformation, (1 . . . Kmax) represents a value range of the firstindication information, and Kmax represents the maximum value of thefirst quantity. The Q_physCellId-list parameter indicates a group ofcells to which the above ssb-Num parameter applies and which includesone or more cells.

Based on this exemplary message structure, the terminal device reads theInterFreqCarrierFreqInfo of the respective frequency points afterreceiving the SIB4 message, read the ssb-Num-list parameter from theInterFreqCarrierFreqInfo, and then reads one or more ssb-Num structuresfrom the ssb-Num-list parameter, reads the cell list Q_physCellId-listfrom each ssb-Num structure, reads the ssb-Num parameter as the firstindication information, and determines the first quantity based on thessb-Num parameter. The cells in the cell list Q_physCellId-listdetermine whether the SSBs are QCL according to the first quantity.

5. Indicating Through a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Message

In an optional manner, the RRC message may be an RRC reconfigurationmessage, which is used for notifying the terminal device of the firstindication information for a certain cell or a cell at a certainfrequency point.

In an example, the network device may carry one piece of firstindication information in the RRC reconfiguration message, and the pieceof first indication information may be applied to all cells at thefrequency point corresponding to the RRC reconfiguration message, thatis, all the cells at this frequency point determine the QCL relationshipby using the first quantity indicated by the first indicationinformation carried in the RRC reconfiguration information.

In this example, the network device may carry the first indicationinformation in the RRC reconfiguration message configured by ameasurement object. The following is an example of the RRCreconfiguration message structure.

MeasObjectNR ::= SEQUENCE { ... ssb-Num INTEGER (1..Kmax), ... }where ssb-Num represents the first indication information; (1 . . .Kmax) represents a value range of the first indication information, andKmax represents a maximum value of the first quantity.

In the example where the first indication information is in the firstdesign manner mentioned above, that is, the first indication informationincludes the number of the SSBs actually sent by the network device andthe first quantity is the number of the SSBs actually sent by thenetwork device, an example of the message structure for carrying thefirst indication information by the network device in the RRCreconfiguration message configured by the measurement object is asfollows.

MeasObjectNR ::= SEQUENCE { ... ssb-Num INTEGER (1..Kmax), ... }where ssb-Num represents the first indication information; (1 . . .Kmax) represents a value range of the first indication information, andKmax represents a maximum value of the first quantity.

In the example where the first indication information is in the seconddesign manner mentioned above, that is, the first quantity indicated bythe first indication information is an certain integer determined by thenth power of 2, an example of the message structure for carrying thefirst indication information by the network device in the RRCreconfiguration message configured by the measurement object is asfollows.

MeasObjectNR ::= SEQUENCE {  ...   ssb-Num   INTEGER (1..Kmax),  ... }

where ssb-Num represents the first indication information; (1 . . .Kmax) represents a value range of the first indication information, andKmax represents a maximum value of the first quantity.

In another example, the network device may also carry one firstindication information list in the RRC reconfiguration message, the listincludes multiple pieces of first indication information, and each pieceof first indication information may be applied to one or more cells.

In a first case, the RRC reconfiguration message carries one firstindication information list which includes one or more pieces of thefirst indication information, and each piece of the first indicationinformation may be applied to one cell.

In this case, the MeasObjectNR message in the RRC reconfigurationmessage carries the first indication information list which includesmultiple pieces of first indication information, and each piece of firstindication information can be applied to one cell. An example of themessage structure for carrying the first indication information by thenetwork device in the RRC reconfiguration message configured by themeasurement object is as follows.

MeasObjectNR ::= SEQUENCE { ... ssb-Num-list SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..Cmax))OF ... } ssb-Num ::= SEQUENCE { ... physCellId PhysCellId, ssb-NumINTEGER (1..Kmax), ... }where ssb-Num-list represents the first indication information listwhich includes multiple ssb-Num structures, and Cmax represents a lengthof the first indication information list. In the ssb-Num structure,physCellId represents a cell identifier, the ssb-Num parameterrepresents the first indication information corresponding to the cellidentified as physCellId, (1 . . . Kmax) represents a value range of thefirst indication information, and Kmax represents a maximum value of thefirst quantity.

Based on this exemplary message structure, the terminal device reads thessb-Num-list parameter after receiving the MeasObjectNR message, andthen reads one or more ssb-Num structures from the ssb-Num-listparameter, reads the ssb-Num parameter corresponding to the cell withthe identifier of physCellId from each ssb-Num structure, as the firstindication information, determines the first quantity based on thessb-Num parameter, and determines whether the SSBs with the cellidentifier of physCellId are QCL according to the first quantity.

In the example where the first indication information is in the firstdesign manner mentioned above, that is, the first indication informationincludes the number of the SSBs actually sent by the network device andthe first quantity is the number of the SSBs actually sent by thenetwork device, an example of the message structure for carrying thefirst indication information by the network device in the RRCreconfiguration message configured by the measurement object is asfollows.

MeasObjectNR ::= SEQUENCE { ... ssb-Num-list SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..Cmax))OF ... } ssb-Num ::= SEQUENCE { ... physCellId PhysCellId, ssb-NumINTEGER (1..Kmax), ... }where ssb-Num-list represents the first indication information listwhich includes multiple ssb-Num structures, and Cmax represents a lengthof a cell list (the first indication information list). In the ssb-Numstructure, physCellId represents a cell identifier, ssb-Num representsthe first indication information corresponding to the cell identified asphysCellId, (1 . . . Kmax) represents a value range of the firstindication information, and Kmax represents a maximum value of the firstquantity.

In the example where the first indication information is in the seconddesign manner mentioned above, that is, the first quantity indicated bythe first indication information is an certain integer determined by thenth power of 2, an example of the message structure for carrying thefirst indication information by the network device in the RRCreconfiguration message configured by the measurement object is asfollows.

MeasObjectNR ::= SEQUENCE { ... ssb-Num-list SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..Cmax))OF ssb-Num, ... } ssb-Num ::= SEQUENCE { ... physCellId PhysCellId,ssb-Num INTEGER (1..Kmax), ... }where ssb-Num-list represents the first indication information listwhich includes multiple ssb-Num structures, and Cmax represents a lengthof a cell list (the first indication information list). In the ssb-Numstructure, physCellId represents a cell identifier, the ssb-Numparameter represents the first indication information corresponding tothe cell identified as physCellId, (1 . . . Kmax) represents a valuerange of the first indication information, and Kmax represents a maximumvalue of the first quantity.

In a second case, the RRC reconfiguration message carries one firstindication information list which includes one or more pieces of thefirst indication information, and each piece of the first indicationinformation may be applied to multiple cells.

In this case, the MeasObjectNR message in the RRC reconfigurationmessage carries one first indication information list which includes oneor more pieces of first indication information, and each piece of firstindication information can be applied to multiple cell. An example ofthe message structure for carrying the first indication information bythe network device in the RRC reconfiguration message configured by themeasurement object is as follows.

MeasObjectNR ::= SEQUENCE { ... ssb-Num-list SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..Qmax))OF ssb-Num, ... } ssb-Num ::= SEQUENCE { ... ssb-Num INTEGER (1..Kmax),Q_physCellId-list Q_PhysCellId-list, ... }where ssb-Num-list represents the first indication information listwhich includes multiple ssb-Num structures, and Qmax represents a lengthof the first indication information list. In the ssb-Num structure, thessb-Num parameter represents the first indication information, (1 . . .Kmax) represents a value range of the first indication information, andKmax represents the maximum value of the first quantity. TheQ_physCellId-list parameter indicates a group of cells to which thessb-Num parameter applies and which includes one or more cells.

Based on this exemplary message structure, the terminal device reads thessb-Num-list parameter after receiving the MeasObjectNR message, andthen reads one or more ssb-Num structures from the ssb-Num-listparameter, reads the cell list Q_physCellId-list from each ssb-Numstructure, reads the ssb-Num parameter as the first indicationinformation, and determines the first quantity based on the ssb-Numparameter. The cells in the cell list Q_physCellId-list determinewhether the SSBs are QCL according to the first quantity.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a module structure of a synchronizationsignal block information processing device according to an embodiment ofthe present application. As shown in FIG. 6, the synchronization signalblock information processing device includes:

a processing module 601 configured to determine whether a first SSB anda second SSB are QCL according to identifiers of the first and secondSSBs, and the first indication information, where the identifierindicates a transmission position of the SSB within a set period oftime.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information is usedfor indicating a first quantity which is related to a number of SSBssent by a network device within the set period of time.

In a possible implementation, the identifiers of the first and secondSSBs are SSB numbers.

In a possible implementation, the processing module 601 is specificallyconfigured to:

determine that the first SSB and the second SSB are QCL when a result ofthe SSB number of first SSB mod the first quantity is equal to a resultof the SSB number of the second SSB mod the first quantity.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information includesthe number of the sent SSBs, and the first quantity is the number of thesent SSBs.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information includesn, and the first quantity is obtained by rounding up the number of thesent SSBs up to nth power of 2, where n is an integer greater than orequal to 0.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information includesm, and the first quantity is obtained by rounding up the number of thesent SSBs up to 2 m, where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information isindicated by a MIB.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information isindicated by information carried by a PBCH.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information isindicated by a DMRS sequence of the PBCH.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information isindicated by a SIB.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information isindicated by a RRC message.

In a possible implementation, the RRC message includes an RRCreconfiguration message.

In a possible implementation, the first SSB and the second SSB are inthe same set period of time, or in different set periods of time.

In a possible implementation, the set period of time is half of a frameperiod, or 2 ms, 4 ms, or 8 ms.

The synchronization signal block information processing device providedin the embodiments of the present application can carry out the actionsof the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments, and itsimplementation principles and technical effects are similar and will notbe repeated here.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a module structure of a synchronizationsignal block information processing device according to an embodiment ofthe application. As shown in FIG. 7, the synchronization signal blockinformation processing device includes:

a processing module 701 and a sending module 702.

The processing module 701 is configured to send a first SSB and a secondSSB to a terminal device through the sending module 702, so that theterminal device determines whether the first SSB and the second SSB areQCL according to identifiers of the first and second SSBs, and firstindication information, where the identifier indicates a transmissionposition of the SSB within a set period of time.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information is usedfor indicating a first quantity which is related to a number of SSBssent by a network device within the set period of time.

In a possible implementation, the identifiers of the first and secondSSBs are SSB numbers.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information includesthe number of the sent SSBs, and the first quantity is the number of thesent SSBs.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information includesn, and the first quantity is obtained by rounding up the number of thesent SSBs up to nth power of 2, where n is an integer greater than orequal to 0.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information includesm, and the first quantity is obtained by rounding up the number of thesent SSBs up to 2 m, where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information isindicated by a MIB.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information isindicated by information carried by a PBCH.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information isindicated by a DMRS sequence of the PBCH.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information isindicated by a SIB.

In a possible implementation, the first indication information isindicated by an RRC message.

In a possible implementation, the RRC message includes an RRCreconfiguration message.

In a possible implementation, the first SSB and the second SSB are inthe same set period of time, or in different set periods of time.

In a possible implementation, the set period of time is half of a frameperiod, or 2 ms, 4 ms, or 8 ms.

The synchronization signal block information processing device providedin the embodiments of the present application can carry out the actionsof the network device in the foregoing method embodiments, and itsimplementation principles and technical effects are similar and will notbe repeated here.

It should be noted that the above sending module may be a transmitter inactual implementations, and the processing module may be implemented inthe form of software revoked by a processing element, or in the form ofhardware. For example, the processing module may be a separateprocessing element, or may be integrated in a chip of theabove-mentioned device. In addition, it may also be stored in the memoryof the above-mentioned device in the form of program codes which arerevoked by a certain processing element of the above device to carry outthe functions of the processing module. In addition, all or part ofthese modules can be integrated together or implemented independently.The processing element described herein may be an integrated circuitwith signal processing capability. In the implementations, the steps ofthe above methods or the above modules can be realized by hardwareintegrated logic circuits in the processor element or instructions inthe form of software.

For example, the above modules may be one or more integrated circuitsconfigured to implement the above methods such as one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASIC), one or moremicroprocessors (digital signal processors. DSPs), one or more fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), or the like. For another example, whenone of the above modules is implemented in the form of program codesscheduled by a processing element, the processing element may be ageneral-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) orother processors that can revoke the program codes. For another example,these modules can be integrated together and implemented in the form ofa system-on-a-chip (SOC).

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another terminal deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG.8, the terminal device can include a processor 31 such as a CPU, amemory 32, a receiver 33, and a transmitter 34. Both the receiver 33 andthe transmitter 34 are coupled to the processor 31 which controls areceiving action of the transmitter 33 and a sending action of thetransmitter 34. The memory 32 may include a high-speed random-accessmemory (RAM) or may further include a non-volatile memory (NVM), such asat least one disk storage. The memory 32 can store various instructionsfor carrying out various processing functions and implementing themethod steps of the present application. In some embodiments, theterminal device involved in the present application may further includea power supply 35, a communication bus 36, and a communication port 37.The receiver 33 and the transmitter 34 may be integrated in atransceiver of the terminal device, or may be independent transceiverantennas on the terminal device. The communication bus 36 is used forcommunication connections between components. The communication port 37is used for connection and communication between the terminal device andother peripherals.

In the embodiments of the present application, the memory 32 is used tostore computer executable program codes including instructions which,when being executed by the processor 31, cause the processor 31 of theterminal device to perform the processing actions of the terminal devicein the above method embodiments so that the receiving action of theterminal device in the foregoing method embodiments is performed by thereceiver 33, and the sending action of the terminal device in theforegoing method embodiments is performed by the transmitter 34. Theimplementation principles and technical effects are similar, and willnot be repeated here.

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another network deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG.9, the network device can include a processor 41 such as a CPU, a memory42, a receiver 43, and a transmitter 44. The receiver 43 and thetransmitter 44 are both coupled to the processor 41 which controls areceiving action of the receiver and a sending action of the transmitter44. The memory 42 may include a high-speed RAM, or can further include anon-volatile memory NVM, such as at least one disk storage. The memory42 can store various instructions for carrying out various processingfunctions and implementing the method steps of the present application.In some embodiments, the network device involved in the presentapplication may further include a power supply 45, a communication bus46, and a communication port 47. The receiver 43 and the transmitter 44may be integrated in a transceiver of the network device, or may beindependent transceiver antennas on the network device. Thecommunication bus 46 is used for communication connections betweencomponents. The communication port 47 is used for connections andcommunication between the network device and other peripherals.

In the present application, the memory 42 is used to store computerexecutable program codes including instructions which, when beingexecuted by the processor 41, cause the processor 41 of the networkdevice to perform the processing actions of the network device in theabove method embodiments so that the receiving action of the networkdevice in the foregoing method embodiments is performed by the receiver43 and the sending action of the network device in the foregoing methodembodiments is performed by the transmitter 44. The implementationprinciples and technical effects are similar, and will not be repeatedhere.

According to the embodiments of the present application, there isprovided a communication device which can be the terminal device in theforegoing method implementations, or a chip arranged in the terminaldevice. The communication device includes a processor which is coupledwith a memory and can be configured to execute instructions in a memoryto implement the methods in the various possible implementations asdescribed above. In some embodiments, the communication device furtherincludes the memory. In some embodiments, the communication devicefurther includes a communication interface to which the processor iscoupled.

When the communication device is the terminal device, the communicationinterface can be a transceiver, or an input/output interface.

When the communication device is the chip arranged in the terminaldevice, the communication interface can be an input/output interface.

In some embodiments, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Insome embodiments, the input/output interface may be an input/outputcircuit.

According to the embodiments of the present application, there isprovided a communication device which can be the network device in theforegoing method implementations, or a chip arranged in the networkdevice. The communication device includes a processor which is coupledwith a memory and can be configured to execute instructions in thememory to implement the methods in the various possible implementationsas described above. In some embodiments, the communication devicefurther includes the memory. In some embodiments, the communicationdevice further includes a communication interface to which the processoris coupled.

When the communication device is the network device, the communicationinterface may be a transceiver, or an input/output interface.

When the communication device is the chip arranged in the networkdevice, the communication interface may be an input/output interface.

In some embodiments, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Insome embodiments, the input/output interface may be an input/outputcircuit.

According to the embodiments of the present application, there isprovided a communication system including a network device and aterminal device. The terminal device is configured to perform themethods in the foregoing various possible implementations. The networkdevice is configured to perform the methods in the foregoing variouspossible implementations.

According to the embodiments of the present application, there isprovided a chip, which is connected to a memory and configured to readand execute a software program stored in the memory, so as to implementthe methods provided in the foregoing embodiments.

According to the embodiments of the present application, there isprovided a chip that includes a processor and a memory, and theprocessor is configured to read a software program stored in the memoryto implement the methods provided in the above-mentionedimplementations.

The above embodiments may be implemented entirely or partly in software,hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented insoftware, it can be implemented entirely or partly in the form of acomputer program product. The computer program product includes one ormore computer instructions. When the computer program instructions areloaded and executed on the computer, the processes or functions inaccordance with the embodiments of the present application are entirelyor partly generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, adedicated computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices.The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storagemedium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium toanother. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted froma website, a computer, a server, or a data center to another websitesite, computer, server or data center in a wired manner such as througha coaxial cable, an optical fiber or a digital subscriber line (DSL) orin a wireless manner such as an infrared, wireless, microwave manner orthe like. A computer-readable storage medium may be any available mediumthat can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as aserver or data center integrated with one or more available media. Theavailable medium may be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, a harddisk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a DVD), or asemiconductor medium (such as a solid state disk (SSD)).

It can be understood that the various numerical numbers involved in theembodiments of the present application are distinguished only for easeof description, and are not intended to limit the scope of theembodiments of the present application.

It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application,the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes do not mean theperforming order, and the performing order of the processes should bedetermined according to the functions and the internal logic thereof,and should not be limited in the implementations of the embodiments ofthe present application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A synchronization signal block informationprocessing method, applied in shared spectrum channel access, the methodcomprising: obtaining, by a terminal device, identifiers of multipleSS/PBCH blocks (SSBs), wherein the identifier of the SSB is determinedin accordance with demodulation reference signal (DMRS) sequences ofphysical broadcast channels (PBCHs), and the identifier of the SSB isused for indicating a transmission position of the SSB within a setperiod of time; obtaining, by the terminal device, first indicationinformation, wherein the first indication information is used forindicating a first quantity, and the first quantity is no more than anumber of the SSBs sent by a network device within the set period oftime; and determining, by the terminal device, a first SSB in themultiple SSBs and a second SSB in the multiple SSBs are quasi-co-located(QCL) in accordance with an identifier of the first SSB, an identifierof the second SSB and the first indication information.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the identifier of the first SSB and theidentifier of the second SSB are SSB numbers, and wherein thedetermining, by the terminal device, the first SSB in the multiple SSBsand the second SSB in the multiple SSBs are quasi-co-located (QCL) inaccordance with the identifier of the first SSB, the identifier of thesecond SSB and the first indication information comprises: determiningthat the first SSB and the second SSB are QCL when a result of the SSBnumber of the first SSB mod the first quantity is equal to a result ofthe SSB number of the second SSB mod the first quantity.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the first indication information comprisesthe number of the sent SSBs, and the first quantity is the number of thesent SSBs, or wherein the first indication information comprises n, andthe first quantity is obtained by rounding up the number of the sentSSBs up to nth power of 2, wherein n is an integer greater than or equalto
 0. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first indicationinformation is indicated by a master information block (MIB), a systeminformation block (SIB) or a radio resource control (RRC) message. 5.The method according to claim 4, wherein one piece of the firstindication information is carried in the SIB message, and the piece ofthe first indication information is for all cells at a frequency pointcorresponding to the SIB message.
 6. The method according to claim 5,wherein the determining, by the terminal device, the first SSB in themultiple SSBs and the second SSB in the multiple SSBs arequasi-co-located (QCL) in accordance with the identifier of the firstSSB, the identifier of the second SSB and the first indicationinformation is for all the cells at the frequency point corresponding tothe SIB message.
 7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the firstindication information is carried in a first indication information listof the SIB message, the first indication information list comprisesmultiple pieces of first indication information, and each piece of firstindication information corresponds to one or more cells.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 7, wherein the determining, by the terminal device,the first SSB in the multiple SSBs and the second SSB in the multipleSSBs are quasi-co-located (QCL) in accordance with the identifier of thefirst SSB, the identifier of the second SSB and the first indicationinformation is for all the cells at a frequency point corresponding tothe SIB message.
 9. The method according to claim 4, wherein the RRCmessage comprises an RRC reconfiguration message, and wherein one pieceof the first indication information is carried in the RRCreconfiguration message, and the piece of the first indicationinformation is for all cells at a frequency point corresponding to theRRC reconfiguration message.
 10. The method according to claim 9,wherein the determining, by the terminal device, the first SSB in themultiple SSBs and the second SSB in the multiple SSBs arequasi-co-located (QCL) in accordance with the identifier of the firstSSB, the identifier of the second SSB and the first indicationinformation is for all the cells at the frequency point corresponding tothe RRC reconfiguration message.
 11. The method according to claim 4,wherein the RRC message comprises an RRC reconfiguration message, andwherein the first indication information is carried in a firstindication information list of the RRC reconfiguration message, thefirst indication information list comprises multiple pieces of firstindication information, and each piece of first indication informationcorresponds to one or more cells.
 12. The method according to claim 11,wherein the determining, by the terminal device, the first SSB in themultiple SSBs and the second SSB in the multiple SSBs arequasi-co-located (QCL) in accordance with the identifier of the firstSSB, the identifier of the second SSB and the first indicationinformation is for all the cells at a frequency point corresponding tothe RRC reconfiguration message
 13. The method according to claim 1,wherein the first SSB and the second SSB are within a same set period oftime, or in different set periods of time.
 14. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the set period of time is half of a frame period, or 2ms, 4 ms, or 8 ms.
 15. A synchronization signal block informationprocessing method, applied in shared spectrum channel access, the methodcomprising: indicating, by a network device, first indicationinformation to a terminal device, wherein the first indicationinformation is used for indicating a first quantity, the first quantityis no more than a number of the SSBs sent by the network device within aset period of time; and sending, by the network device, a first SSB anda second SSB to the terminal device so that the terminal devicedetermines that the first SSB and the second SSB are quasi co-located(QCL) in accordance with an identifier of the first SSB, an identifierof the second SSB and the first indication information, wherein theidentifier of the SSB is determined in accordance with demodulationreference signal (DMRS) sequences of physical broadcast channels(PBCHs), and the identifier of the SSB is used for indicating atransmission position of the SSB within the set period of time.
 16. Themethod according to claim 15, wherein the identifier of the first SSBand the identifier of the second SSB are SSB numbers, and wherein theterminal device determining that the first SSB and the second SSB arequasi co-located (QCL) in accordance with the identifier of the firstSSB, the identifier of the second SSB and the first indicationinformation comprises: determining that the first SSB and the second SSBare QCL when a result of the SSB number of the first SSB mod the firstquantity is equal to a result of the SSB number of the second SSB modthe first quantity.
 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein thefirst indication information comprises the number of the sent SSBs, andthe first quantity is the number of the sent SSBs, or wherein the firstindication information comprises n, and the first quantity is obtainedby rounding up the number of the sent SSBs up to nth power of 2, whereinn is an integer greater than or equal to
 0. 18. The method according toclaim 15, wherein the first indication information is indicated by amaster information block (MIB), a system information block (SIB) or aradio resource control (RRC) message.
 19. The method according to claim18, wherein one piece of the first indication information is carried inthe SIB message, and the piece of the first indication information isfor all cells at a frequency point corresponding to the SIB message. 20.The method according to claim 19, wherein the terminal devicedetermining that the first SSB and the second SSB are quasi co-located(QCL) in accordance with the identifier of the first SSB, the identifierof the second SSB and the first indication information is for all thecells at the frequency point corresponding to the SIB message.
 21. Themethod according to claim 18, wherein the first indication informationis carried in a first indication information list of the SIB message,the first indication information list comprises multiple pieces of firstindication information, and each piece of first indication informationcorresponds to one or more cells.
 22. The method according to claim 21,wherein the terminal device determining that the first SSB and thesecond SSB are quasi co-located (QCL) in accordance with the identifierof the first SSB, the identifier of the second SSB and the firstindication information is for all the cells at a frequency pointcorresponding to the SIB message.
 23. The method according to claim 18,wherein the RRC message comprises an RRC reconfiguration message, andwherein one piece of the first indication information is carried in theRRC reconfiguration message, and the piece of the first indicationinformation is for all cells at a frequency point corresponding to theRRC reconfiguration message.
 24. The method according to claim 23,wherein the terminal device determining that the first SSB and thesecond SSB are quasi co-located (QCL) in accordance with the identifierof the first SSB, the identifier of the second SSB and the firstindication information is for all the cells at the frequency pointcorresponding to the RRC reconfiguration message.
 25. The methodaccording to claim 18, wherein the RRC message comprises an RRCreconfiguration message, and wherein the first indication information iscarried in a first indication information list of the RRCreconfiguration message, the first indication information list comprisesmultiple pieces of first indication information, and each piece of firstindication information corresponds to one or more cells.
 26. The methodaccording to claim 25, wherein the terminal device determining that thefirst SSB and the second SSB are quasi co-located (QCL) in accordancewith the identifier of the first SSB, the identifier of the second SSBand the first indication information is for all the cells at a frequencypoint corresponding to the RRC reconfiguration message
 27. The methodaccording to claim 15, wherein the first SSB and the second SSB arewithin a same set period of time, or in different set periods of time.28. The method according to claim 15, wherein the set period of time ishalf of a frame period, or 2 ms, 4 ms, or 8 ms.
 29. A synchronizationsignal block information processing device, applied in shared spectrumchannel access, the device comprising: a processor configured to: obtainidentifiers of multiple SS/PBCH blocks (SSBs), wherein the identifier ofSSB is determined in accordance with demodulation reference signal(DMRS) sequences of physical broadcast channels (PBCHs), and theidentifier of the SSB is used for indicating a transmission position ofthe SSB within a set period of time; and obtain first indicationinformation, wherein the first indication information is used forindicating a first quantity, and the first quantity is no more than anumber of the SSBs sent by a network device within the set period oftime; and determine that a first SSB in the multiple SSBs and a secondSSB in the multiple SSBs are quasi-co-located (QCL) in accordance withan identifier of the first SSB, an identifier of the second SSB and thefirst indication information.
 30. A synchronization signal blockinformation processing device, applied in shared spectrum channelaccess, the device comprising: a processor configured to indicate firstindication information to a terminal device, wherein the firstindication information is used for indicating a first quantity, thefirst quantity is no more than a number of the SSBs sent by the networkdevice within a set period of time, and a transceiver configured to senda first SSB and a second SSB to the terminal device, so that theterminal device determines that the first SSB and the second SSB arequasi co-located (QCL) in accordance with an identifier of the firstSSB, an identifier of the second SSB and the first indicationinformation, wherein the identifier of the SSB is determined inaccordance with demodulation reference signal (DMRS) sequences ofphysical broadcast channels (PBCHs), and the identifier of the SSB isused for indicating a transmission position of the SSB within the setperiod of time.